Aquinas on Efficient Causation and Causal Powers

This book reconstructs and analyses Aquinas's theories of efficient causation and causal powers.

Gloria Frost (Author)

9781009225427, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 11 August 2022

288 pages
23.6 x 15.8 x 1.8 cm, 0.498 kg

In this innovative book, Gloria Frost reconstructs and analyses Aquinas's theories on efficient causation and causal powers, focusing specifically on natural causal powers and efficient causation in nature. Frost presents each element of Aquinas's theories one by one, comparing them with other theories, as well as examining the philosophical and interpretive ambiguities in Aquinas's thought and proposing fresh solutions to conceptual difficulties. Her discussion includes explanations of Aquinas's technical scholastic terminology in jargon-free prose, as well as background on medieval scientific views - including ordinary language explanations of the medieval physical theories which Aquinas assumed in formulating his views on causation and causal powers. The resulting volume is a rich exploration of a central philosophical topic in medieval philosophy and beyond, and will be valuable especially for scholars and advanced students working on Aquinas and on medieval natural philosophy.

Introduction
Part I. The Elements of Paradigm Instances of Efficient Causation: 1. Background and Overview of Aquinas's Theories
2. Efficient Causation: The Paradigm Case and its Features and Conditions
3. Active Powers
4. Natural Inclination and Final Causality
5. Passive Powers
6. Action and Passion
Part II. Complications: 7: Non-Paradigm Cases: Efficient Causes within Networks, Absences and Sine Qua Non Causation
8. Efficient Causes Which Act Through Another Cause's Power
Conclusion.

Subject Areas: Western philosophy: Medieval & Renaissance, c 500 to c 1600 [HPCB], History of Western philosophy [HPC], Philosophy [HP]